Arsenal close in on Alexis Sanchez, Mathieu Debuchy double swoop

Arsenal remain confident of pushing through a £30million deal for Chile winger Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona and expect to complete the signing of France defender Mathieu Debuchy later this week.

Sanchez is understood to have instructed his representatives to close negotiations with the Gunners after deciding against offers from both Liverpool and Juventus.

Reports in Spain suggest Barcelona have accepted Sanchez’s desire to leave and head to London rather than Anfield, where he could have been used as a makeweight in a potential deal for Luis Suarez.

Some of the Arsenal squad, including Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, had their first pre-season fitness training session at London Colney this afternoon, under the watchful eye of assistant manager Steve Bould, with Arsene Wenger still out at the World Cup on media duty for French TV.

Carl Jenkinson was another put through his paces, and the right-back is expected to face competition for a starting place from Debuchy next season with the France international set to finalize the formalities of his £10million switch from Newcastle in the coming days, with suggestions a medical has already been completed.

There was positive news from the Gunners camp on Tuesday as Abou Diaby, a long-term injury absentee last season, was able to take part in the fitness sessions and could yet prove an asset for Wenger next season.

Arsenal’s players will return to pre-season training on a staggered basis following the World Cup – with German trio Per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski all out in Brazil for the duration.